ASA Analysis of 2016 General Election

On Tuesday, November 8, the 2016 General Election resulted in a historic election. ASA has been monitoring these results and continues to track several races that have not yet been determined. As of Wednesday, November 9, there have already been many notable results of importance to ASA members. ASA looks forward to continuing to advance patient safety and the future of the specialty with all of our newly-elected officials in the coming years. Below are some highlights, which will be updated on the Washington Alerts page as more election information becomes available.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONEarly this morning, Republican nominee Donald Trump reached the 270 threshold and was elected as the 45th president of the United States. Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence both declared the victory “a historic night” and called for national unity. Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton fell short of Electoral College votes, although she garnered a slight majority in popular votes. Clinton conceded the race Wednesday.

HOUSE AND SENATE MAKEUPDespite early estimates about the Senate, Republicans retained control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Democrats gained two seats in the Senate – Illinois and New Hampshire – and maintained Democratic control in toss-up Nevada, but Republicans maintained a majority with 51 seats. Results are still being counted in Louisiana, where state Treasurer John Kennedy faces a December 10 runoff to fill the seat of retiring Republican Senator David Vitter.

In the House of Representatives, Republicans entered the election with 247 seats, their largest total in 86 years. While there is one race still too close to call, it appears that Republicans have won 239 seats, with Democrats gaining a total of 194 seats. Democrats gained seats in Florida, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Virginia while Republicans gained seats in Florida and Nebraska.

Of the House races called, ASAPAC has a current general election success rate of 94%. Unfortunately, ASA-supporter Congressman David Jolly (R-FL-13) was not successful in his reelection campaign.

Also, in a November 8 article in The Hill Extra, ASAPAC was recognized as one of the top 10 health political contributors for 2015 and 2016, contributing $1,903,250 to political candidates.

CONGRESSMAN ANDY HARRIS, M.D.The first physician anesthesiologist elected to Congress, Representative Andy Harris, M.D. (R-MD-01) won his re-election with 67.8% of the vote. Congressman Harris has been a member of ASA and received ASAPAC support.

OTHER PHYSICIANS IN CONGRESSIn the 114th Congress, there were 18 physicians serving in Congress. While the full results are still being tabulated, at least 14 physicians will be serving in the 115th Congress.

Please note, as a Federal PAC, ASAPAC may only support candidates in states that make specific provision for candidates to accept Federal PAC contributions.

This election day generated historic outcomes at the state level. On the morning of November 9, this is what we know so far:

PHYSICIAN ANESTHESIOLOGISTS ELECTED TO STATE OFFICEThis year, several physician anesthesiologists were state legislative candidates. Dr. Bryan Terry was reelected to the Tennessee House of Representatives and Dr. Steve Dickerson was reelected to the Tennessee Senate. Dr. John Zerwas (R) was reelected to the Texas House of Representatives and Dr. Tom Oliverson (R) was newly elected to the Texas House of Representatives. Dr. Dale Derby (R) was elected to the State House of Oklahoma.

GOVERNORSThis year, there were gubernatorial races in 12 states (Delaware, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia). Republicans were successful in at least 6 of these races: Indiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Utah, and Vermont. Democrats won the governorship of Delaware, Oregon, Washington, and West Virginia. At the time of this writing, Montana and North Carolina are too close to call. These decisions give Republicans at least 33 governorships in 2017. This breaks the modern record of 32 and ties the 94-year-old record set in 1922.

LEGISLATURESOn November 8, 2016, 86 of America's 99 state legislative chambers held elections. Going into the evening, Republicans controlled 69 legislative chambers and Democrats controlled the rest, either through simple majorities or coalition majorities. At the time of this writing, five chambers have flipped, with Republicans gaining majorities in the Iowa Senate and Kentucky House of Representatives. Democrats took control of the Nevada Senate, Nevada Assembly, and New Mexico House of Representatives.

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